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Gopher Tortoise Education Corner

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Welcome teachers, students, and parents! Here you will find gopher tortoise related information and activities for all ages. This page lists all of the brochures and other forms that are available for download.

Brochures

A guide to living with gopher tortoises (585KB) contains information on the importance of gopher tortoise in Florida and what to do if you encounter one.

Before you build (918KB) contains information about what landowners should know about gopher tortoises before breaking ground on construction activities.

Get the facts about gopher tortoises

Laws, policies and guidelines (color [1MB]) (black and white [773KB])

Permitting and mitigation (color [945KB]) (black and white [698KB])

Horses and safety (color [299KB]) (black and white [275KB])

Publications

The Pine Ecosystem Conservation Handbook for the Gopher Tortoise in Florida is part of an initiative of the American Forest Foundation's Center for Conservation Solutions that brings together conservation partners and family forest owners to conserve and create forest habitat for the gopher tortoise and other declining wildlife of the southern pine forest.

The Gopher Tortoise: At Home in Florida's Forests includes information on how private forest owners can participate in gopher tortoise conservation. Florida Forests (Spring/Summer 2008) published by The Florida Forestry Association. 

The Longleaf Alliance is a non-profit organization that serves as a clearinghouse for information on regenerating, restoring and managing longleaf pine; provide networking opportunities for our members to connect with other landowners, managers and researchers with similar interests and problems; and coordinate technical meetings and education seminars. The Alliance also offers an educational poster that depicts many of the plants and animals that could be encountered on a stroll through the longleaf pine forest, one habitat in which the gopher tortoise can be found.

Children's Books

The Gopher Tortoise, by Zander Strodes. This children's activity book, reprinted by FWC in February 2009, is an educational activity book that introduces the life history and ecological significance of the gopher tortoise to young audiences.

Gopher Tracks, by Susan Jane Ryan. This 62-page book is most appropriate for fourth-graders and up. The book introduces gopher tortoise ecology, the role of fire in upland habitats, and the importance of environmental stewardship through the adventures of two girls, Tamika and Diana.

Grant opportunities for gopher tortoise research and education

Grant opportunities are posted to the Gopher Tortoise Council's website frequently. Please check back for future opportunities as they are available.

If you have a funding opportunity available for gopher tortoise education or research and would like for us to include the information on our website, please send the announcement to Deborah.Burr@MyFWC.com.

More information

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